Family discussions encourage open communication. These conversations help children and teens feel heard and understood, which strengthens trust and emotional security. Family discussions are also a chance to pass on values, address problems early, and guide younger members in making wise decisions.

When you combine family discussions with spiritual devotions it strengthens family bonds. Discussions help families understand one another, while devotions help families grow together in character and values. These practices create a safe space where love, respect, and faith are nurtured, shaping individuals who are emotionally strong, morally grounded, and spiritually aware.

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A Season Of Preparation

5-Day Family Devotional | May 11-May 15, 2026

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Day 1 — Distracted by Preparation

Luke 10:41-42 (NIV)

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one.”

Preparation is not a bad thing.

In fact, preparation is often necessary.

Martha wasn’t doing something sinful.

She was serving.

Working.

Preparing.

But somewhere along the way, the preparation became the distraction.

While Mary sat at the feet of Jesus, Martha became overwhelmed by everything that felt urgent.

And if we’re not careful, we can do the same thing.

We can get so busy preparing for life…

that we forget to actually spend time with the One who gives life.

Busy schedules.

Responsibilities.

Pressure.

Stress.

None of those things are bad by themselves.

But when they pull us away from intimacy with Jesus, they become distractions.

Preparation should position us closer to God…

not further away from Him.

Simple Next Step

Take 10 uninterrupted minutes today to simply sit with Jesus in prayer and Scripture without distractions.

Family Discussion Questions

1.    What are some things that distract us from spending time with God?

2.    Why do you think Mary chose differently than Martha?

3.    How can we make time with Jesus a priority in our home?

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Day 2 — Slow Doesn’t Mean Pointless

Esther 2:12 (NIV)

“Before a young woman’s turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments…”

Esther spent an entire year in preparation before stepping into her purpose.

Twelve months.

That probably felt slow.

Hidden.

Unnoticed.

But just because preparation feels slow doesn’t mean it isn’t purposeful.

God often does His deepest work in the waiting seasons.

The seasons where nothing seems to be happening…

may actually be the seasons where God is preparing you the most.

Preparing your heart.

Preparing your character.

Preparing your faith.

We usually want God to move quickly.

But God is often more concerned with preparing us properly than promoting us quickly.

Because purpose without preparation can crush us.

Don’t despise the slow seasons.

God is still working.

Simple Next Step

Ask God today: “What are You trying to develop in me during this season?”

Family Discussion Questions

1.    Why is it hard to wait on God sometimes?

2.    What are some ways God prepares us before a new season?

3.    How can we trust God when life feels slow?

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Day 3 — Prepared for a Purpose

Esther 4:14 (NIV)

“And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

Esther probably didn’t understand every part of her journey while she was walking through it.

The waiting.

The preparation.

The uncertainty.

But later, she realized God had been positioning her the entire time.

And the same is true for us.

God wastes nothing.

Not your struggles.

Not your pain.

Not your waiting seasons.

Not even your disappointments.

God can use every part of your story to prepare you for your purpose.

Sometimes we feel unqualified.

Unprepared.

Not enough.

But often the very things that make you feel weak are the things God uses most powerfully.

You may not fully understand why you’re in this season right now.

But one day, you may look back and realize:

God was preparing you for “such a time as this.”

Simple Next Step

Write down one difficult season God has already brought you through and thank Him for how He used it.

Family Discussion Questions

1.    Have you ever looked back and realized God was preparing you for something?

2.    Why do we sometimes feel unqualified for what God calls us to do?

3.    How can God use hard seasons for good?

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Day 4 — Character Before Calling

Romans 5:3-4 (NIV)

“We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

We often focus on where we want to go.

God focuses on who we are becoming.

Before God opens new doors, He often develops our character first.

Because gifting may open doors…

but character sustains what God gives you.

God uses preparation seasons to strengthen us internally.

To teach us humility.

Faithfulness.

Trust.

Dependence.

And honestly, that part usually isn’t glamorous.

It happens in ordinary moments.

Hidden moments.

Difficult moments.

But those moments matter deeply to God.

Never underestimate what God is building inside of you while you wait.

Your character is part of your preparation.

Simple Next Step

Ask God to show you one area of character He wants to strengthen in your life.

And don’t stay distracted by things that ultimately don’t matter most.

God is preparing you for purpose.

Family Discussion Questions

1.    Why is character more important than talent or gifting?

2.    What are some ways God develops our character?

3.    How can hard seasons make us stronger spiritually?

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Day 5 — Step Forward in Faith

Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

There comes a moment when preparation turns into action.

A moment where God says:

Now step forward.

That can feel scary.

Because faith always requires trust.

Esther eventually had to walk into the king’s court.

Mary had to choose the feet of Jesus over the distractions around her.

And we have those moments too.

Moments where we stop shrinking back.

Stop doubting.

Stop waiting for perfect conditions.

And instead, we trust that God has been preparing us all along.

You do not have to have everything figured out to obey God.

You simply need to trust the One who is leading you.

Don’t miss your moment because of fear.

Simple Next Step

Take one small step of faith today in an area where God has been prompting you to trust Him.

Family Discussion Questions

1.    Why does stepping out in faith feel difficult sometimes?

2.    What is one area where you need courage right now?

3.    How can we encourage each other to trust God more?

20 Year Celebration

5-Day Family Devotional | May 3-May 8, 2026

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Day 1 — Remember It

Joshua 4:6–7 (NIV)

“These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever… the waters of the Jordan were cut off… These stones are to be a memorial.”

We are not very good at remembering.

Not because we don’t care—but because life keeps moving.

New seasons.

New challenges.

New pressures.

And before we know it, what God has done fades into the background.

That’s why God told His people to build a memorial.

Not because the miracle wasn’t powerful enough…but because He knew they would forget.

And if they forgot what He had done…they would struggle to trust Him in what was ahead.

So He told them—remember it.

Go back to the place where I made a way.

Pick up stones from the middle.

From the place that should have been impossible.

Because if you don’t remember where God brought you from…you’ll struggle to trust Him in where He’s taking you.

The goal isn’t just to move forward.

It’s to move forward remembering.

Simple Next Step

Take a few minutes today and write down 3 moments where God has been faithful in your life.

Family Discussion Questions

1.    Why do you think it’s easy to forget what God has done?

2.    What is one moment in your life where you clearly saw God move?

3.    How can remembering God’s faithfulness help you today?

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Day 2 — Retell It

Joshua 4:21–22 (NIV)

“When your children ask… ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them…”

The stones were never about the rocks.

They were about the story.

God didn’t just want His people to remember what He did—He wanted them to retell it.

To talk about it.

To pass it down.

To make sure the next generation knew:

“This is what God has done for us.”

Because faith doesn’t just grow in silence…It grows in stories.

Stories of provision.

Stories of healing.

Stories of breakthrough.

And here’s the truth—

If we don’t tell the story…it gets lost.

Your story matters.

What God has done in your life matters.

And someone else needs to hear it.

Simple Next Step

Share one story today of how God has been faithful—either with your family, a friend, or someone in your circle.

Family Discussion Questions

1.    Why is it important to tell others what God has done?

2.    What’s one story from our family that shows God’s faithfulness?

3.    Who could you encourage this week by sharing your story?

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Day 3 — Don’t Forget the Journey

Deuteronomy 8:2 (NIV)

“Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness…”

God didn’t tell them to grab stones from the shore.

He told them to go back to the middle.

The place that didn’t make sense.

The place that required a miracle.

The place they could not stand…unless He made a way.

Why?

Because He didn’t just want them to remember the moment—

He wanted them to remember the journey.

The wilderness.

The waiting.

The struggles.

The doubts.

Not just the victory…but everything that led to it.

Because when you remember the full journey…you realize just how faithful God has been.

He was there in the hard seasons.

He was there in the confusing seasons.

He was there when you didn’t understand.

And He’s still there now.

Simple Next Step

Think back on a hard season in your life. Thank God for how He walked you through it—even if it wasn’t easy.

Family Discussion Questions

1.    Why is it important to remember the hard seasons, not just the good ones?

2.    What is a difficult time where you saw God remain faithful?

3.    How does remembering the journey strengthen your faith today?

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Day 4 — Anchor Your Future

Joshua 4:20 (NIV)

“And Joshua set up… the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan.”

Before Israel fought a single battle…

God told them to stop.

And remember.

Because He knew—What they were about to face would require faith.

And faith grows when you remember what God has already done.

Those stones became anchors.

Not to hold them in the past…but to ground them for the future.

And it’s the same for us.

If we step into what’s next without being anchored in God’s past faithfulness…we’ll forget who He is.

But when we remember—We move forward with confidence.

Not because we know everything ahead…but because we know the One who has led us this far.

Simple Next Step

When you face something uncertain today, pause and remind yourself: “God has been faithful before. He will be faithful again.”

Family Discussion Questions

1.    Why do we need reminders of God’s faithfulness when facing new challenges?

2.    What are some “stones” (memories) you can hold onto in your life?

3.    How does remembering the past give you confidence for the future?

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Day 5 — Carry It With You

Joshua 4:7 (NIV)

“These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.”

The stones didn’t stay in the river.

They didn’t stay at the moment.

They carried them with them.

Through the next season.

Through the battles.

Through the unknown.

Why?

Because God never intended that moment to stay in the past—He wanted it to travel with them into the future.

And that’s what this stone is for you.

Not just something you picked up in a service…

Not just a meaningful moment…

But a reminder you carry into everyday life.

A reminder that God made a way.

A reminder that He’s been faithful.

A reminder that you didn’t get here on your own.

So when you see that stone on your desk…On your nightstand…On your kitchen counter…

It’s not just a rock.

It’s your story.

It’s a moment where God showed up.

It’s a reminder that whatever you’re facing next—You’re not walking into it empty-handed.

You’re walking in with evidence.

Because the same God who was faithful then…Is still faithful now.

So don’t just remember it.

Don’t just retell it.

Carry it with you.

And live from it.

Simple Next Step

Put your stone somewhere you’ll see it every day—and every time you see it, remind yourself of one way God has been faithful.

Family Discussion Questions

1.    Where are you going to place your stone so it reminds you daily of God’s faithfulness?

2.    What does your stone represent in your story?

3.    How can this reminder help you trust God in what you’re facing right now?